(NewsUSA) - Every family’s financial situation is unique, with different challenges, opportunities and cultural considerations affecting their decisions about money. For some -- particularly families who have immigrated from Latin America, where financial services are less regulated than in the United States -- a mistrust of financial institutions may also influence decision-making.

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Latino households are five times less likely than white ones to have a banking relationship. Other research has found that financial challenges facing the Latino community range from higher debt and lower household wealth to less awareness of, or access to, diverse financial products.

Although this can make planning for your family’s future seem complicated and overwhelming, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional has the education and experience to help you make sense of your financial options and chart a path to reach your short- and long-term goals. CFP® professionals also make a commitment to the CFP Board to act as a fiduciary when providing financial advice to clients, which means they have agreed to put their clients’ best interests first.

Here are three tips for building trust and making the most of a partnership with a CFP® professional:

1. Look for a CFP® professional with international expertise. If your family members don’t live near you, estate planning can be challenging, so make sure you prioritize that with your planner. Cross-border issues need to be taken into consideration to minimize financial consequences. Make sure you ask your financial planner to give examples of how they’ve dealt with similar client issues in the past.

2. Include your family in the planning process. If your focus is on taking care of your family as a unit -- or you rely on your closest relatives for advice -- it may be smart to involve your partner, parents and children in your financial plan. This enables you to work together as a family to align your financial plan with the family’s well-being. It can also accelerate relationship-building with your financial planner as they learn about your values, culture and unique traditions.

3. Make sure your financial plan covers your needs. Most plans include cash flow planning, retirement, education, taxes and estate planning. Including plans for establishing credit, debt management and asset protection is also important. Don’t be afraid to ask your planner questions about financial structures and products that you’re not familiar with, or have them explain the advantages and disadvantages of different options. You can also ask your planner for illustrations or other graphic representations of your options. Visit LetsMakeAPlan.org to find a CFP® professional in your area and for more tips on making a solid financial plan.

Getting started on a comprehensive financial plan today will prepare you for a more secure tomorrow.

Helping your baby develop a healthy microbiome can help support their immune and digestive health for life. Here's an easy breakdown of six factors that help ensure the right microbes are introduced into your baby's tummy at the right time. 

Hint: you can keep the dog! 

See full-sized image here.

"CK Mondavi and Family wines are a tradition that has been in our family for four generations," says 4th generation Riana Mondavi.

"Passion has kept our family business going and I can say for all of us in this next generation, we are extremely humbled to carry on a wine legacy that was started by our great grandparents so long ago. We are also wholeheartedly committed to continuing the Mondavi family tradition for generations to come."

Riana and other "G4" family members including Alycia Mondavi, Angelina Mondavi, Giovanna Mondavi, Lia Mondavi, and Lucio Mondavi, are continuing to steward the family's winemaking institution as official brand ambassadors, the major shareholders of their family business. Two G4 members now serve as representatives on their Board of Directors. Their fathers, Marc Mondavi and Peter Mondavi, Jr., remain co-proprietors of the company, but this next generation of cousins is now more involved in the direction of the business.

CK Mondavi and Family was started by their great grandparents, Cesare and Rosa Mondavi, Italians who turned a mid-western grape-shipping business into a wine legacy. Eventually, the G4's grandfather, Peter Mondavi, Sr., took over the family business and continued to work tirelessly to ensure the business would be around for generations to come. Today, they continue to honor their grandfather's legacy in everything they do.

All of the G4 grew up on and around their family's Napa Valley estate, learning the business from a very young age. They played tag in the vineyards, picked grapes at harvest, worked in the cellars, and came to love their family business. It's no wonder that they are now playing a larger role and are being groomed to steward the company in to the future.

Each member of the "G4" brings his own approach and expertise to the business. Their collective expertise encompasses a range of talent and skills that will benefit every part of the family business - winemaking, management, engineering, finance, marketing and sales. This next generation remains committed to continuing to produce consistently delicious everyday wines from grapes that are 100 percent sourced from California vineyards, and sustainable farming techniques and winemaking practices that are more typically found with expensive wines. They are the first and only wines that are 100 percent "Made in USA Certified."

The G4 members of the iconic Mondavi family are in place to move the company forward while ensuring best wines and best practices with each bottle that carries their name.

You can find them online at CKMondavi.com, or on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram @CKMondaviWines.

Now dozens of companies are clamoring to have a piece of the fashion subscription box pie - and nearly all of them are achieving some level of success - whether it's small start-ups like Nadine West that cater to women only or Silicon Valley giant Stichfix, which just had a major IPO.

Yet virtually no one has addressed the most obvious need in the industry: a clothing service tailored for just big and tall men.

Nearly every single study ever published, including those from the Center for Disease Control, agree that American men are getting larger every year. To illustrate this point, consider this: the average American man has a waistline of 40 inches, yet it's unusually hard to find a variety in fashionable men's clothing with more than a 38-inch waistline.

To this point, it seems hard to believe that this market is only now truly being served, and first to market is a small, Austin, TX-based company called Maximus Box. (Clients can choose from three different subscription levels starting from $69 a month and stylists at Maximus Box then pick out and mail the clothes and accessories.)

Founder Wes Riddick says his own personal struggles with finding fashionable clothing for big and tall men were validated with research and Twitter surveys that summarized that half of all men and women in the plus-size category report difficulty with the shopping process, in terms of sizing and fit.

They would also prefer their clothes to be reasonably priced, and online shopping rates are typically too high in this category, according to the research and survey.

"I'm a big and tall man myself, but don't want to be relegated to ill-fitting or unfashionable clothes," Riddick says.

"Far too much of the big and tall clothing available was too boxy or had a lumberjack look that just doesn't appeal to me. I figured I couldn't be alone in this, so I created Maximus Box and offer fashion-forward clothing at low prices," says Riddick.

For more information, visit https://maximusbox.com/

"To say we were disorganized is putting it mildly."

Like so many Americans, they didn't have a plan for their money.

The problem is often not how much money a family makes, but that they have no idea what they're spending it on. Seventy-eight percent of full-time workers say they live paycheck to paycheck, according to a recent report from CareerBuilder. Worse, most feel it will always be that way. But it doesn't have to be.

Financial experts agree that the best way to break the vicious cycle of scrambling to make ends meet is by having a written budget and sticking to it. Leslie heard about a website, EveryDollar.com and the EveryDollar budgeting app that makes it simple to create a budget, manage money, and track spending. They signed up, set up their budget, and they've stuck to it for years. "We paid off $165,000 in debt since we got started. Now we're in a position to be completely debt-free, including our house and rental property, in the next three years."

The "B" word has gotten a bad rap. Budgeting sounds hard. It sounds restricting. Frankly, it sounds boring. But people who've made budgeting the center of their financial behavior have discovered quite the opposite. The technology behind apps like EveryDollar make budgeting easy. Rather than feeling restricted, they say it feels as if they have permission to spend - just not permission to waste.

Sierra Schmidt was surprised by how much having a budget changed her attitude. She's a single mother in Spokane, Washington, whose bills include daycare, rent, and student loans. "I felt so far behind every month, and things seemed hopeless," she says.

"Now, I keep track of every dollar, and the numbers are right in front of me. I'm getting ahead instead of falling behind. Every month I feel more confident that I can wipe out the debt that's been so stressful."

Sierra and Leslie empowered themselves to take control of their money. You can too. Creating a budget and sticking to it could change your life and help you take control of your money in the new year.

EveryDollar is a free budget app that allows users to create customized monthly budgets, and seamlessly track expenses, income and savings from the convenience of their computer and phone. It's available for both iOS and Android devices. EveryDollar launched in March 2015 and now has more than three million users.

Learn more by visiting www.everydollar.com.

The most common symptoms of meal-triggered indigestion or Functional Dyspepsia are nausea, bloating, belching, inability to finish a normal-size meal, feelings of fullness and pressure in the upper belly and upper-belly pain or burning.

But sufferers may find help with FDgard, a new non-prescription medical food specially formulated for the dietary management of meal-triggered indigestion or Functional Dyspepsia, which affects an estimated 1 in 6 adults in the U.S.

FDgard is the only non-prescription medical food clinically studied for this relatively common but frustrating condition, and it's available in local pharmacies nationwide. Each FDgard capsule contains targeted-release microspheres of caraway oil and l-Menthol, the primary component found in peppermint oil, engineered for release in the upper belly, where discomfort most often occurs. The combination of caraway oil and l-Menthol have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing or improving dyspepsia discomfort, including feelings of pain and burning, early fullness, pressure, and bloating, which makes FDgard an ideal pre-meal companion to help control meal-triggered symptoms.

Based on results of two peer-reviewed and presented studies at the American College of Gastroenterology meeting in October 2017, FDgard showed a high level of patient satisfaction and rapid improvement of Functional Dyspepsia symptoms. In a first-ever clinical study conducted in eight centers across the U.S., known as FDREST (Functional Dyspepsia Reduction and Evaluation Safety Trial), FDgard showed significant reduction and rapid relief of Functional Dyspepsia symptoms in 24 hours. In a second real-world, patient-reported outcomes study of 600 patients, called FDACT (Functional Dyspepsia Adherence and Compliance Trial), the findings showed a high level of patient satisfaction and overall symptom relief with FDgard.

More and more doctors are turning to FDgard for the management of meal-triggered indigestion or Functional Dyspepsia. In fact, in a recent nationwide survey of 200 gastroenterologists, FDgard was the number-one-recommended herbal product for Functional Dyspepsia.

"Functional Dyspepsia can have a significant impact on one's quality of life," says Michael Epstein, M.D., F.A.C.G., A.G.A.F., a leading gastroenterologist and Chief Medical Advisor of IM HealthScience, LLC.

"People are afraid to eat, they are afraid to go out to restaurants, they are afraid to sit down and enjoy a meal with friends," he says. "I explain to my patients that what we are dealing with is not a life-threatening medical condition."

Dr. Epstein says that in his experience, FDgard is a great addition for fast relief of frustrating Functional Dyspepsia symptoms, especially since some patients want to take a natural product with minimal side effects. "I appreciate having this effective, non-prescription option for my patients, so more patients can proactively manage their Functional Dyspepsia symptoms."

He explains that the combination of l-Menthol and caraway oil works synergistically to address the pain, pressure and early fullness that people with meal-triggered indigestion or Functional Dyspepsia experience.

FDgard should be taken under a doctor's supervision; the usual adult dosage is two capsules twice daily. FDgard is available in the digestive aisle at Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid nationwide.

Learn more by visiting www.fdgard.com.

They never want to miss a moment with their kids, but also feel the pressure to be present at work.

Getting updates throughout the day makes working moms feel more connected to their kids, and Messenger Kids, a new app available in the US for iOS, Android and Fire tablets, is making it easier for working moms and their kids to talk.

Messenger Kids puts the power to communicate in the hands of children and lets them reach out to mom whenever they need to.

"After talking to thousands of moms and working with the Working Mother Research Institute, we've found that 84 percent of moms wish they could have a brief look into how their child's day is going. Most feel there's a need for apps that let kids connect with people they love, but also have the level of parental control parents want," says Antigone Davis, Facebook Global Head of Safety.

Communication apps such as Messenger Kids have many benefits, including:

•  Connection. Apps are a great way for children to connect with the people they love. With Messenger Kids, kids can video chat and message with parent-approved contacts once their account is set up by a parent or guardian.

•  Creativity. An app should be fun and allow kids to express themselves within the limits set by parents. Messenger Kids features a library of specially chosen GIFs, frames, stickers, masks and drawing tools that let them decorate photos and videos and have more fun with video chats.

•  Control. Messenger Kids helps ease parents' concerns about how children are using devices and whether they are using apps that are age-appropriate. It also gives parents more control. Parents fully control the contact list and kids can't connect with people that their parent does not approve.

•  Convenience. Apps, especially those built for kids, must be easy to set up and use. Once the account is established, the home screen shows kids at a glance whom they are approved to talk to and when those contacts are online. In addition, parents can chat with kids through their regular Messenger account, so it's convenient for both parent and child.

This Mother's Day, and every day with Messenger Kids, moms never have to miss a moment.

Ah, the familiar refrain that has stood the test of time and one that sends most parents cringing while taking a family road trip.

As the summer of 2018 kicks off, consider this: 68 percent of Americans are likely to go on vacation, and 85 percent of them will travel by car, based on data from a recent online survey of approximately 1,500 adults.

While aspects of a road trip may be daunting, a majority of these travelers acknowledge that getting there is half the fun: 24 percent strongly agree, and 45 percent somewhat agree that getting to a vacation spot is often as enjoyable as being there.

If you've ever wondered what goes on inside the car during a road trip, read on.

A survey conducted by NACS, a trade association representing the convenience-store industry, reveals that most passengers want to be social: just over 60 percent report that they enjoy talking with fellow passengers and almost 80 percent cite listening together to music, podcasts, or audio books as favorite activities.

However, when it's time to take a break, disagreements can arise, especially when it comes to meals and snacks. A convenience-store stop can be a simple solution.

Today's convenience stores offer more than just gas and restrooms. Many serve a range of hot-meal options such as pizza and burgers, as well as customizable sandwiches, coffee, drinks, and smoothies, so passengers and drivers of every age and taste can find something to satisfy them.

The NACS survey results show that the top three reasons for breaks during summer road trips are to:

* Use the bathroom (96 percent).

* Get gas (95 percent).

* Buy food or drinks (91 percent).

"There's only one place that can satisfy all three of the top reasons for stopping during a road trip: a convenience store," says Jeff Lenard, NACS vice president of strategic industry initiatives.

"From restrooms and fuel pumps to indulgent snacks and healthy options, you can stop once and make everyone happy. And that can certainly make a road trip more fun."

However, regular breaks are an important part of road trips for safety as well as for practical reasons.

Drivers need a quick and easy place to stand up and stretch, or to allow someone else to take the wheel. Kids get antsy and need to stretch, too - according to the NACS survey, approximately 45 percent of the in-car disagreements during road trips center on children fidgeting or arguing.

Convenience stores provide all the services needed for long or short road-trip breaks in a safe, predictable environment.

Many convenience stores offer easy access from major roads, so there's no struggle or lost time navigating to an unknown spot without any sense of the services available. Convenience stores offer clean, well-lit rest stops for single drivers, groups of friends, older adults, and families with children.

Visit convenience.org/ more for additional information about what convenience stores offer and how they can help make summer road trips smooth, safe, and enjoyable.

That's according to Fidelity Investments' latest biennial Retirement Savings Assessment study, which - while mostly upbeat - also makes clear that all too many of those surveyed remain "at risk" of not being able to fully cover essential expenses in retirement if they don't turn things around.

Specifically, after totaling up the assets of the 25- to 74-year-old respondents earning at least $20,000 annually - and that included current or expected Social Security benefits - Fidelity estimated that the typical saver is on track to have 80 percent of the income he or she will need to cover retirement costs. That's the highest it's been since the study was first conducted in 2005, when the same figure was 62 percent and people were just beginning to know the joys of watching videos of cats performing weird tricks.

"It's a significant improvement," says Ken Hevert, Fidelity's senior vice president of retirement, who attributed the rise to both a higher median savings rate compared to 2006 (8.8 percent vs. 3.6 percent) and better portfolio asset allocation.

Even more comprehensively, four color-coded categories were used to show where households fell on a retirement preparedness spectrum based on their ability to handle estimated expenses in a down market:

* Dark Green Thirty-two percent were on target to cover more than 95 percent of their freight (up 1 percent from 2016).

* Green. Eighteen percent were looking good as far as essentials go, but not discretionary items like travel and entertainment (down 1 percent from 2016).

* Yellow. Twenty-two percent were off track, with "modest adjustments" likely required to their planned lifestyles (down 1 percent from 2016).

* Red. Twenty-eight percent definitely "need attention," to put it kindly (up 1 percent from 2016).

Perhaps the biggest surprise in the study had to do with Millennials.

For the first time ever, those born between 1981 and 1992 surpassed the older Generation X in Fidelity's unique cross-generations scorecard. The latter are on track to have 78 percent of the retirement income they'll need, while the former lags behind by 1 percent - though that's presumably after many of them dipped into their own savings to pay the college tuitions of their Millennial offspring. "Millennials are clearly putting money aside for retirement and taking more control of their personal situations," says Hevert.

And Baby Boomers? Collectively, they're in the best position of all, especially those Baby Boomers with increasingly rare pensions, and are on course to have set aside 86 percent of the money they'll need.

For those curious where they stand, Fidelity allows anyone to access their retirement score online. And if you really want a cushiony retirement, keep in mind that you could have 108 percent of what you'll need by embracing all three of the following "accelerators": saving at least 15 percent of your income yearly; ensuring an age-appropriate asset mix; and deferring Social Security benefits till at least 66 or 67.

"While these actions taken separately are clearly helpful," says Hevert, "doing all three could help bring you from good to great."

Imagine getting paid just to post on Instagram about brands and local businesses you are interested in.

Quantum Sponsor is the platform that's making it happen. Unlike traditional talent agencies, Quantum Sponsor doesn't require you to have millions of followers to participate - even a couple of hundred is just fine!

Now, Aunt Suzie, who just started Instagram last month, can make money posting about her favorite new Clutch Coffee shop that opened down the street, and so can you.

Both small businesses and Fortune 500 companies alike are using Quantum Sponsor to pay everyday Instagram users for posts.

Most consumers today are overwhelmed by and tired of banner-style and traditional ads; they want to learn about products from other trusted consumers who are willing to share their interests and expertise.

Quantum Sponsor's new advertising platform pairs enthusiastic Instagrammers with clients who will hire them for paid promotions. Best of all, Quantum Sponsor is easy for both the Instagrammers and businesses.

"We want to give social media users the opportunity to earn money for the content they've created and the influence they've earned. So we made it easy. In doing so, we also created an effective, cost- saving tool for digital advertisers across all industries," says AJ Silverman, founder and CEO of Quantum Sponsor.

Working with Quantum Sponsor streamlines the process of influencer selection, sponsorship, and payments.

Here's how it works: Instagrammers sign up as influencers on the Quantum Sponsor website. The website will tell them exactly how much money they'll make for posts based on how engaged their followers are. Quantum Sponsor reviews and categorizes all influencers by audience interests, location, gender, and brand safety.

Advertisers sign up as "sponsors," and create campaigns directly on the Quantum Sponsor platform, which will automatically send out email alerts and offers to influencers who match with the advertiser's target audience.

Influencers post and complete offers by leaving posts active for a minimum of seven days. Once offers are completed, influencers can withdraw their earnings with PayPal. Influencers can increase their earnings by posting interesting, engaging content but need to eliminate cruel or violent language in order to receive offers.

Quantum Sponsor recognizes that digital influencers are the future of marketing, the new darlings of the Internet, and that advertisers who want social media followers, depend on them. This creates an opportunity for influencers to cash in while building their own personal brands - just by doing the things they love.

Whether it's sewing, surfing, or skin care, there is a potential marketing campaign to fit any interest.

For more information on how to become an influencer and get paid to post, visit www.quantumsponsor.com.

To view the video, click here.